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Hiring checklist for Independent Contractor

Independent Contractor hiring checklist

Bringing an independent contractor on board is an effective way to add specialised skills to your organisation on a flexible basis. To make sure the working relationship is clear and compliant with legal requirements, follow a structured process.

Use the checklist below to guide the hiring and management of independent contractors and to keep the engagement clear and legally compliant.

1. Define the scope of work

  • Identify the project or tasks: clearly specify the work the contractor must undertake.

  • Set project timelines — confirm the start date, key deadlines and anticipated completion date.

  • Specify deliverables — list the expected outcomes, products or services the contractor will supply.

2. Determine contractor status

  • Verify classification — check the worker satisfies local legal criteria for independent contractor status.

  • Avoid misclassification: Be cautious about exerting control over how the work is carried out, as that can lead to the worker being treated as an employee.

3. Budget and payment terms

  • Create a project budget.

  • Agree payment terms and decide if you’ll pay hourly, per project or by another method.

  • Establish a payment schedule — set milestones for payments, such as upfront, on task completion or at project end.

4. Draft a contract

Prepare a written contract that sets out the engagement terms and key clauses, including:

  • Scope and nature of work

  • Payment terms

  • Deadlines

  • Confidentiality and non-disclosure

  • Intellectual property rights and ownership

  • Termination clause

Seek legal advice to confirm the contract complies with relevant laws.

5. Obtain necessary documentation

  • Proof of Insurance (if applicable)

  • Portfolio or references

6. Establish communication protocols

  • Primary contact — nominate a single point of contact inside your organisation.

  • Communication tools — agree which methods you’ll use.

  • Schedule regular check-ins to track progress.

7. Onboard the contractor

  • Give access to required tools, software or platforms.

  • Provide a short orientation on your company’s processes, culture and expectations.

  • Make sure the contractor understands and follows company security protocols.

8. Monitor progress and quality

  • Regular status updates

  • Perform quality checks

  • Give feedback

9. Finalise and close out the project

  • Review final deliverables

  • Process final payment

A single platform to hire and manage contractors compliantly

Hiring international contractors is an effective way to build a mission-driven team without geographical limits, and Remote makes it straightforward.

Remote’s contractor management services help you hire, pay and manage contractors worldwide so you can concentrate on growing your business. With Remote you can:

  • Offer straightforward onboarding for contractors

  • Manage contractor agreements with our built-in custom contracts

  • Ensure compliance with local employment laws and tax rules

  • Protect your intellectual property

  • Process contractor payments quickly and in the correct currency

Learn more about our contractor management services, or if you’re ready to start onboarding contractors, sign up today.